Joe Paterno Memorial: 12,000 Crowd Attend Funeral Service [PHOTOS]

Trumpeter Kurtis Cleckner of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, performs "Hail to the Lion" at the end of a memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Sue Paterno, wife of late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, wipes the eyes of her grandson Joey Paterno after a memorial service for her husband in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Mourners react during a memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Jay Paterno (2nd L), son of late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, is joined by former Penn State football players during a memorial service for his father in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Jay Paterno, son of late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, speaks during a memorial service for his father in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Mourners gather to pay their respects during a memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

A mourner wipes his eyes during a memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Phil Knight, chairman of the board of Nike, addresses a memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania, January 26, 2012 . Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Former NFL and Penn State football player Kenny Jackson addresses a memorial service for Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania, January 26, 2012 . Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

Photographs of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno are projected on a large overhead screens during a memorial service for Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania, January 26, 2012 . Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

FL great and Penn State graduate Franco Harris bows his head during a memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania, January 26, 2012. Paterno died of cancer at the age of 85 on January 22. Photo: Reuters

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It was an emotional day for Joe Paterno fans. A crowd of 12,000 people gathered at the Penn State basketball arena on Thursday, paying tribute to the life of the legendary football coach, who died on Sunday from lung cancer. He was 85.

One of the most vivid moments captured at the ceremony was that of Joe Paterno's wife, Sue, who stood embracing her grief stricken grandson. Many tears were shed throughout the ceremony. Family and fans alike, paid their tributes in honor of Paterno's 46-year career.

Paterno's son Jay, told the crowd how he had leaned over his dying father and said, Dad, you won. You did all you could do. You've done enough. We all love you. We won. You can go home now.

Paterno coached Penn State for 46 seasons. He was heralded for winning two national championships and having five undefeated seasons, before he was fired in 2011 after facing questions about his handling of allegations in a child sex-abuse scandal involving his colleague, Jerry Sandusky.

The memorial service was also an opportunity for fans to defend the football coach's legacy against criticism that he failed to act when informed of the alleged child sex-abuse claims.

Despite all that had happened to him, he never wavered in his belief, in his dream, of Penn State. He told me he wanted to use his remaining time on earth to see Penn State continue to thrive. He never spoke ill and never wanted anyone to feel badly for him, Jay Paterno said.

Nike founder and CEO, Phil Knight, defended Paterno at the ceremony, hinting to the 12,000 crowd that Paterno had been used as a scapegoat in the case, the Daily Mail reported.

'If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno's response,' he said

Player's from different seasons of Paterno's career spoke with loving words about their coach, saying he had rode them hard but always had their best interests at heart, the Washington Post reported.

A white Fiat van rammed into pedestrians outside enjoying a late afternoon stroll on Las Ramblas in Barcelona on Thursday killing at least 13 people and leaving hundreds injured. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.